Job Discussion Forums

neil1979 · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

Dull topic but can anyone recommend which schools are worth teaching in in Berlin and what is the standard rate now? As I am taking a room in Prenzlauerberg I'm particularly curious does anyone know about the LOGO school there or is it any good? Or any other ones in the area? I have plenty of experience, qualifications etc.

Also - hope I don't rile anyone by being so upfront about it - are there any schools that pay under the table to avoid the whole insurance and tax system over there? I've spent the last few years in Russia where all the schools do it and it makes life a lot simpler.
Thanks!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Germans tend to be a bit more law-abiding than their Slavonic neighbours.
The taxman tends to be less venal and more efficient.

Frankly I am surprised that you even ask the question. You are asking other posters to assist you in committing a criminal offence ! Conspiracy to defraud the German government ? No thanks !

There is probably an office in Berlin which does nothing else but scan fora like this for evidence of conspiracy against the State !

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

I love all this thou shalt not stuff.

I live and work in Berlin as a fully respectable legal person, registered, tax paying�You name it, I�ve filled in some form at least five times.

But I also did two separate year-long stints in other parts of Germany as an English teacher and paid diddly squat in tax, and the only forms I ever filled in were betting slips. But I got away with it.

Of course, I wouldn�t condone such activity, but then again, why not.

neil1979 · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

To be honest I don't object to paying tax in principle, I just wish they could take it out before they pay you like in most jobs. What bugs me is that on a low salary you not only have to pay high tax but you're the one who has to go to the trouble of finding it how the hell to do it, pay an accountant or tax consultant etc. At the end what are you going to be left with?

smoofy · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 17 Location: Oakland, Ca USA

How much do they usually take out of your pay check for taxes in Germany? I've heard varying figures, all sounding pretty deadly.

neil1979 · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

Actually it seems not that bad. You can earn up to 17000 euro a year without paying income tax - fairly generous - and anyone who's earning more than that doing tefl in Germany must be crazy! The pension scheme is not obligatory for freelance teachers. So all you really need is health insurance, I guess...and maybe dreaded church tax (a topic addressed elsewhere)

mistral · Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Herat Afghanistan

There is no need to pay Church tax in Germany unless you tell them your religion. Just put "keine" in the space. That'll do the trick. As for income tax, get yourself an good accountant (Steuerberater). Germany has more tax deductables than any other country in Europe. Collect all your receipts, including your coffee maker, coffee ... You can even deduct a percentage of your utility bills and rent (=desk space). You can write off the accountant's fees too. As for health insurance, make sure you are self employed and "freiwillig versichert" and you get sick pay, paid out each day (Krankengeld). It's worth it. "Angestellter" get ripped off by their employers and the Finanzamt. You can earn a lot more if you work freelance and play your cards right. Keep your declared income just above the bread line. All Germans do it.